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Rescuers help 200 in flooded town Rescuers help 200 in flooded town
(about 2 hours later)
A major rescue operation was mounted overnight to help scores of people trapped by severe flooding in Cumbria. About 200 people have been rescued in the town of Cockermouth, as floods struck across Cumbria.
Fire crews and the RAF spent the early hours rescuing about 200 people stranded at their homes in Cockermouth. RAF helicopters airlifted at least 50 to safety, with some forced to break through the roofs of their houses. Dozens more have been rescued by boat.
About 50 people were airlifted to safety by RAF Sea King helicopters, and another 150 were helped by the RNLI and other rescue organisations. Water levels in some parts of the town centre were more than 2.5m (8.2ft).
Some residents had to break through roofs, and at the height of the emergency, water levels reached 8ft. Meanwhile, a search operation is under way for a police officer feared missing after flooding caused a local bridge to collapse in nearby Workington.
By 0400 GMT police said floodwater levels had stabilised, with rescuers able to reach people trapped in their homes by boat. Water levels in Keswick, which was also badly hit, were not expected to rise any further, police added. By 0400 GMT police said floodwater levels in Cockermouth had stabilised, with rescuers able to reach people trapped in their homes by boat.
A police spokesman said: "There are fewer than 10 people left to be rescued in Cockermouth. The flood levels have stabilised enough to get boats in which is making the operation a lot easier."
In pictures: flooding in CumbriaIn pictures: flooding in Cumbria
Water levels in Keswick, which was also badly hit, were not expected to rise any further, police added.
A police spokesman said: "The flood levels have stabilised enough to get boats in which is making the operation a lot easier."
He added: "There have been no serious injuries as a result of the floods, just a few people treated at the scene for minor bumps and scrapes."He added: "There have been no serious injuries as a result of the floods, just a few people treated at the scene for minor bumps and scrapes."
RAF squadron leader Dave Webster said the air search and rescue operation was beginning to wind down, although a helicopter would remain on standby.RAF squadron leader Dave Webster said the air search and rescue operation was beginning to wind down, although a helicopter would remain on standby.
Earlier, up to 20 people were thought to be trapped in their homes in the Main Street area of the town, and Southwaite Bridge in Cockermouth and nearby Lorton Bridge were destroyed.Earlier, up to 20 people were thought to be trapped in their homes in the Main Street area of the town, and Southwaite Bridge in Cockermouth and nearby Lorton Bridge were destroyed.
Lifeboat crews helped the RAF and mountain rescue teams to carry out evacuations in the town.Lifeboat crews helped the RAF and mountain rescue teams to carry out evacuations in the town.
Don Hindmoor, who was trapped inside a flat, said: "There's three people trapped in a one-bedroomed upstairs flat. "We've been stuck here all day. 'Raging torrents'
"I mean, we're not in any danger, it's warm enough, we still have electricity and so we're OK where we are for the time being but there's a lot of people stuck in upstairs flats in this area. It's not just water outside it's raging torrents. It's like white water rapids." Don Hindmoor, who was trapped inside a flat, said: "There's three people trapped in a one-bedroomed upstairs flat. We've been stuck here all day.
Rescue priority "We're not in any danger, it's warm enough, we still have electricity and so we're OK where we are for the time being but there's a lot of people stuck in upstairs flats in this area.
Andy Coon, who was led to safety from his home, said: "At the moment there's Sea King helicopters flying overhead, winching people to safety. Half the town is in darkness, all you can see is helicopters flying ahead and loads and loads of police and mountain rescue." "It's not just water outside, it's raging torrents. It's like white water rapids."
The BBC's Alison Freeman saw how the floods in Keswick are being tackled
Andy Coon, who was led to safety from his home, said: "At the moment there's Sea King helicopters flying overhead, winching people to safety.
"Half the town is in darkness, all you can see is helicopters flying ahead and loads and loads of police and mountain rescue."
Cockermouth and Keswick were thought to be the worst affected areas, along with Kendal and Burneside, after 175mm (6.9in) of rain fell in 14 hours.Cockermouth and Keswick were thought to be the worst affected areas, along with Kendal and Burneside, after 175mm (6.9in) of rain fell in 14 hours.
More than 200 Cockermouth residents were spending the night in emergency reception centres.More than 200 Cockermouth residents were spending the night in emergency reception centres.
Residents were being warned not to drive or walk through flood water or attempt to unblock drains themselves.Residents were being warned not to drive or walk through flood water or attempt to unblock drains themselves.
The BBC's Alison Freeman saw how the floods in Keswick are being tackled
They were also being urged to check on vulnerable friends and neighbours and ensure they were equipped with torches, mobile phones, waterproofs, water, radios with batteries, medication and other essential items.They were also being urged to check on vulnerable friends and neighbours and ensure they were equipped with torches, mobile phones, waterproofs, water, radios with batteries, medication and other essential items.
Roads closed
In Keswick, almost 350 homes in Elliot Park were without power, and residents were advised to stay with friends or family as it could take up to three days for repairs to be completed.In Keswick, almost 350 homes in Elliot Park were without power, and residents were advised to stay with friends or family as it could take up to three days for repairs to be completed.
The Environment Agency said emergency services and local authority staff went house-to-house evacuating properties in Keswick, Kendal and Cockermouth, as well as ensuring people were taking precautions in Carlisle, Appleby, and Low Crosby.The Environment Agency said emergency services and local authority staff went house-to-house evacuating properties in Keswick, Kendal and Cockermouth, as well as ensuring people were taking precautions in Carlisle, Appleby, and Low Crosby.
The agency said an additional 100mm (3.9in) of rain was expected over Cumbria by early Friday.The agency said an additional 100mm (3.9in) of rain was expected over Cumbria by early Friday.
Keswick has been one of the worst affected areas
Several major roads were closed, including parts of the A591, the A6 and the A595.Several major roads were closed, including parts of the A591, the A6 and the A595.
Emergency reception centres were opened at Cockermouth School, Keswick Convention Centre, Southey Street Methodist Hall and Skiddaw Hotel.Emergency reception centres were opened at Cockermouth School, Keswick Convention Centre, Southey Street Methodist Hall and Skiddaw Hotel.
Keswick has been one of the worst affected areas
Up to 40 residents in the Waterloo Street and Gote Street areas of Cockermouth were moved to one of the centres as water up to 3ft (1m) deep entered properties.Up to 40 residents in the Waterloo Street and Gote Street areas of Cockermouth were moved to one of the centres as water up to 3ft (1m) deep entered properties.
Scores of police officers and mountain rescue volunteers helped evacuate others in the town, where the River Derwent burst its banks.Scores of police officers and mountain rescue volunteers helped evacuate others in the town, where the River Derwent burst its banks.
Keswick Convention Centre manager Simon Overend said: "We are taking people from the Lakehead Court residential care home.
"We have capacity of 41 beds but we're getting in sleeping bags to accommodate more if needed."
Around half a dozen elderly householders were being accommodated at Cockermouth School, a school spokeswoman said.
A number of elderly residents from Victoria Court in Cockermouth were also evacuated to the town's Sheep and Wool Centre.
Allerdale Borough Council said it had been inundated with requests for sandbags. Demand for sandbags was also high in Kendal, where river levels also rose drastically.Allerdale Borough Council said it had been inundated with requests for sandbags. Demand for sandbags was also high in Kendal, where river levels also rose drastically.
A spokesman for South Lakeland District Council said: "More than 1,000 sandbags have already been collected from our depot and we have ordered 4,000 more to meet the demand."A spokesman for South Lakeland District Council said: "More than 1,000 sandbags have already been collected from our depot and we have ordered 4,000 more to meet the demand."
Twelve flood warnings, the second most serious of the Environment Agency's alerts, have also been placed throughout the county.Twelve flood warnings, the second most serious of the Environment Agency's alerts, have also been placed throughout the county.
Are you in one of the areas on flood alert? What are conditions like where you live? Send us your comments and pictures.Are you in one of the areas on flood alert? What are conditions like where you live? Send us your comments and pictures.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here.
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